Cathy Blossom was born Catherine Marie DeGeus on November 11, 1927 to Abraham and Dora De Geus. at the Sea Side Hospital in Long Beach, California. Dora DeGeus was born Darkje VanKatwyk in Amsterdam, Holland on July 27, 1895. Abraham Degeus was born in Skidam, Denmark on Oct 29 , 1890. They came to America individually as young adults to make a new life here and to make a place for their families to follow. They met when Abe rented a room in Dora's sister's home. They were married in the winter of 1924. Abe bought a dairy farm where they lived and worked during their early years together. He ultimately sold the dairy farm and went to work for Shell Oil Company on Signal Hill in Long Beach, California. Dora and Abe had two daughters. Marie Catherine, born June 15, 1925, and Catherine Marie, born November 11, 1927. Both babies were named after their grandmothers. Cathy grew up in Long Beach and went to Jefferson Junior High. Her family moved to North Long Beach and she went to Jordan High School where she sat in front of Bob in study hall, and that was the beginning of a lifetime relationship. They dated throughout their high school years. Bob joined the Navy in 1944, but they were a serious couple and planned to be married when he got out of the service. Cathy graduated from high school, in 1945 and went to work at the Bank of America. Bob joined the Navy and was soon on his way to Japan when the war ended in 1947. Cathy and Bob continued their relationship through letters until he was discharged. They were married on February 14, 1947 and moved into a one bedroom cottage behind the elder Blossom's home. Cathy quit working to stay home, but because they did not soon have children Cathy decided to go back to work at the bank. On December 2, 1955 they adopted nine month old twin boys, Kevin and Keith. Cathy quit her job to stay home to care for the babies. In 1959 they purchased a four bedroom home in Los Alamitos. They had a large swimming pool built, so the boys became good swimmers. The Blossom's entertained family and friends with many pool parties. They enjoyed square dancing and later they also learned swing dancing. Cathy was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Blossom, and one son, Keith. She is survived by her other son, Kevin James Blossom of Fort Mohave, Arizona, four grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Marie C. Cook of Hemet, California.
